Fall Days-Excursions Away

This school year I decided to approach the year differently than I have in the past.  I was tired of the children being bummed about school every day.  I was tired of the lack of motivation with my children to do their school.  This year I decided to try and squeeze in more field trips and outside time of learning.  I don't believe that all they learn should be learned from a book.  Actually I think the opposite is a much better way to learn and since my children have differently learning styles, I need to incorporate that in our every day schooling.  

With the weather being so incredible, we've taken advantage of the outdoors by visiting Pokagon State Park with friends.  We've recently restored a relationship with another family that we used to be close to.  After a bit of time apart from situations and moves, we've sparked the friendship back up and our children are loving it!  We decided to meet for nature hikes and active play once a month this school year.  We'll see how the winter months go.  Pokagon is a great meeting place for us, and the children love having their friends to hang out with that they don't get to see very often.  

Last week was so gorgeous on the day we decided to meet up that Alegra took her camera along for some pictures if the moments were suitable and they sure were.  With Hadassah finally deciding to walk, I wanted Alegra to capture some of her walking to document that stage in her life.   

 Diella found a quiet spot on the playground for a good reading nook.

 Practicing his tree climbing skills.  He's getting pretty good.

 And then our friends arrive and there's lots of football, chit chat, running, climbing, and enjoyment for both the children and us moms.

 It was a beautiful day to find leaves of all colors, shapes, and sizes.

 These boys are like brothers with the same interests and could talk more than the girls when together.

The trails were beautiful and crisp.

 I loved the colors and glow that Alegra captured.

 Fun with a girls' photo shoot.  They took off and did some photography of themselves.  Such a great time!

One of the fun activities that we always look forward to in the fall is the Old Fort Cluster Dog Show.  Usually Jonathon gets to join us, but he has been swamped with work, so it was just me and kiddos.  We always enjoy seeing the different breeds, guessing what kinds they are, and trying to guess which dog will win and watching to see who places.  We didn't stay as long as usual with other plans in the evening that we needed to get home to, but we were each able to see some dogs that we wanted to, so that was great!

 The mastiffs always catch our attention.

 Benaiah found this lady to be quite friendly.  We all let him spend some time with that dog while she talked his ear off.  He was polite to her and smiled and listened.

 Saphi thought the chows looked like lions.  There were some pretty furry ones this year.

 The two little girls loved watching all the dogs.

 Then akitas.  What can I say.  They are just so pretty!  I have always loved akitas. And then a lady came out with a puppy.  You'll see that cutie after these big beasts.....

 This lady had just showed this St. Bernard who was only 20 months old.  He was just a big bundle of lovins.

 Most people there to show are really busy grooming their animals and getting ready for shows or taking care of their dogs, so very few people take the time to talk with us.  This lady was exceptional at giving my children attention and letting them learn a little too.

 That was great being at the end of our stay, and then this little akita came out and my heart melted.  My heart first melted when I watched the adults in the show ring, but looks at this little guy.  He is just too much cuteness.  

We had some winter clothes to get for children before we left Ft. Wayne and then we headed home for an evening of fun with friends.  Rushed home, cleaned up house and arranged for a night of fellowship, took the children to some friend's house, then welcomed guests for a Hillbilly Chili.  We don't allow dull moments to set in too much around here.  :)

I hope you are all enjoying this amazing weather.  Looks like tomorrow is going to be another great day of warm and sun.  Looks like we'll be in the garden and hopefully get some school book work done too.  And of course there's piano lessons and our every day life chores....Life goes on.

Family Pictures Fall 2016

 You know, life is busy around here.  Jonathon's work is giving him jobs left and right (no complaints here!).  Homeschooling 4 children with 2 other littler ones is taxing.  There are always meals to make, laundry to do, dishes to wash, floors to sweep (thanks to the shedding dog- glad that phase is over for a bit!), diapers to change, bodily injuries or sickness to tend, outside yard and garden to keep up, and family and friends to keep relationships going.  Sometimes I feel like I don't have time for one more thing to get accomplished, yet somehow every day I get all that done.  Does my house look messy when you stop by unexpectedly? Yes!  Will there be laundry on my couch in piles?  Yes!  Will I be rushing around to get food on the table?  Yes!

 I wish I could set all that aside and not apologize for a messy house.  I wish I could welcome others in and not worry that my floors are dirty.  What's important?  What's the day to day tasks and efforts I put forth worth in this life?  If I'm fussing about a messy house and things undone, then it's not worth much.

 It takes a lot of work to tend all the needs in my home.  It takes time, energy, love, and patience.  Do I fail at times?  Yes.  Am I successful at teaching my children with patience and kindness most days? Yes, but not all days.  Do I long to be a vessel that can reach the hearts of my children and others that are lost in my community?  Yes.  The time in this life can be so short.  We almost didn't go take these pictures the day we did.  I'm so glad we took time to do it.  They capture us.  They capture the love that we have for one another.  Yes, there is fighting and bickering.  There are arguments and fussing children.  BUT in the end, look how Benaiah is helping Saphi with her boot.  Look how Josiah is looking down at his baby sister to make sure she's okay.  Look at how my husband holds me in his arm like I am a prize to never let go of.

Do we beat ourselves up that life isn't perfect?  It never will be.
Do we wish we had more time to get one more accomplishment done?  There will always be more.
Do we look at what we have and realize the blessing right infront of us?  Not enough.
Blessings are all around.  Don't let time and busy lives cause your eyes to not see what is truly surrounding you.  If you can't see it, step back for only a moment.  Blink a couple times and just watch and listen.  This is your life.  Hold onto it.  Mold it, shape it, transform it if it needs to be changed, but handle it like it's the best gift in the world, and then all that other stuff that gets you down and frustrated, just let it go.

Oh that we could live the picture perfect way that we had envisioned when we started having children.  Boy, 6 is a different story than the cute little baby we started out with.  :)  The rewards can be grand if we allow them to be.  The blessings beyond the children themselves can be remarkable if we are guiding them and not just being busy about our own tasks.  These children are work, but with a little instruction, guidance, and perhaps discipline at times, they sure can brighten my day and make me realize what's right infront of me that I can so easily miss.  Children.  A blessing from the Lord.  And I have 6 of them!  :)